Friday, June 20 – the longest day of the year – is here, Santa Cruz County, with the forecast calling for mostly sunny skies and temperatures in just the 60s and lower 70s even in the warmest spots.
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News Thursday that Carlos Palacios, Santa Cruz County’s top government executive, would retire in December marks the latest, and by far most significant, executive-level departure in county government over the past six months, Christopher Neely reports. The “generational shift” underway in local government comes at a tumultuous time.
Lily Belli had the news Thursday that Watsonville restaurant Ella’s at the Airport has closed. Owners didn’t give a precise reason, though the establishment did take a hit after hosting a pro-Trump viewing party earlier this year.
The Watsonville Police Department came under the scrutiny of the county’s civil grand jury, Tania Ortiz reports, which found that the department overuses handcuffs and detains people more often for minor crimes than other local agencies.
Wallace Baine – whose roadmap to the weekend you’ll also find below – previews Cabrillo Stage’s big summer production, Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd.” It’s the first time the company has presented one of the most edgy and lurid musicals in the Broadway canon since the 1990s.
All that and plenty more in the Friday headlines – let’s get after ’em.
As top bureaucrat retires, Santa Cruz County’s ‘generational shift’ deepens for local government
As Carlos Palacios steps down from his post as Santa Cruz County’s executive officer, a national search will begin for his replacement. The ongoing leadership makeover comes as the county navigates some of its most challenging economic times in recent memory. Read more here from Christopher Neely.
Watsonville police overuse handcuffs, detentions for minor crimes, county watchdog says
A new Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury report found that the Watsonville Police Department handcuffs, detains and transports more people for misdemeanors, such as theft, trespassing and DUIs, than other local law enforcement agencies. Details here from Tania Ortiz.
DAILY DIGEST
TGIF indeed, and among what we’ve got to be thankful for is that Lookout’s continuing coverage will include a fresh helping of Eaters Digest from back-from-vacation Lily Belli. Sign up here for that and all of Lookout’s other newsletters, plus breaking news alerts, and if it’s not already on your smartphone, download the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to stay current on our award-winning local coverage. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky are where you’ll find us on social media.
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May your Friday be a good one, and here’s to a safe, healthy weekend beyond. Thanks for reading!
Will McCahill